SRQ DAILY Nov 2, 2023
Thursday Family and Recreation Edition
" I tend to put a lot of things that either I covered as a journalist or that I see in the papers into my books, even if it is small things like chicken nuggets shaped like manatees. "
Whether you’re a visitor enjoying a relaxing evening full of shopping on Lido Key or a local who proudly sports beachwear year round, Salty Stitch on St. Armands Circle is a premiere destination for all things coastal chic. Not only does the store offer both women’s and menswear, but Salty Stitch also caters to a vast array of age groups, with styles ranging from trendy crop tops and tiny bikinis to classic, retro resort wear for the seasoned shoppers. “I have to think about who each item is geared toward. Whether that’s something for a younger vacationer or something for a woman who lives on Longboat Key, I try to encompass all of that. There is something for everyone,” says Salty Stitch owner Lindsey Klentzin.
Klentzin started her collection of Salty Stitch stores back in 2013 on Fire Island in New York, opening the original location as a women’s wear store that emphasized modern, fashion-forward coastal apparel. While New York is her home state, Klentzin’s longtime dream was to move herself, her daughter and her business down to the Sunshine State to escape the gloomy Northeastern winters. Two years ago, on November 1, 2021, Salty Stitch opened on St. Armands Circle, bringing Klentzin’s eye for fashion to the Sarasota area. “We bought a house down here then started looking around and St. Armands Circle just seemed like a great fit,” she says. “It’s a shopping destination that’s very similar to where we’re located in New York. It’s a beachtown, but it’s also a combination of both residents and tourists.”
Salty Stitch strives to provide seasonal selections for those who want to enjoy autumnal styles despite the year-round summer weather, with denim and sweaters being hailed as recent bestsellers. “It's interesting, because even though it's 90 degrees here in Florida a lot of people buy winter clothes to bring back to wherever they're from,” Klentzin adds. “People also let the month of the year dictate what they want to wear. Even though it's 90 degrees outside, maybe they want to wear that sweater.”
Along with offering a full, four-season catalog of merchandise, the customer service at Salty Stitch is what completes the shopping experience. “Customer service is our number one thing, we want to make sure everyone's greeted when they come in and we want to start fitting rooms for them,” she says. “Even just this morning, I was in the store trying on a whole bunch of clothes for someone who wanted to buy items for her daughter who was about my size. I tried on different items for her just to show her what they look like. I'm not saying that other stores wouldn't be willing to do that, but I feel like that's what differentiates us from other shops. Just that full service experience.”
Salty Stitch, 466 John Ringling Blvd, Sarasota, 941-388-1040, saltystitch.com 
Pictured: Salty Stitch on St. Armands Circle provides seasonal selections as well as tried and true coastal fashion finds. Photo courtesy of Lindsey Klentzin.
Spooky season may have ended, but it’s the perfect time to snuggle up with a steaming mug of cocoa and get lost in the pages of a mystery novel. Florida author Tara Lush, who also writes as Tamara Lush, has just published Eat, Pray, Hex the first installment in her new cozy mystery series. On November 6, Lush will join fellow writer Craig Pittman in Sarasota as they present a talk entitled “Doing Crime the Florida Man Way,” part of the Sarasota County Library’s Off the Page Literary Celebration.
For years, Lush worked as a reporter across Florida, and today she incorporates the outlandish happenings that she observed while covering this eccentric state. “I tend to put a lot of things that either I covered as a journalist or that I see in the papers (into my books), even if it’s small things like chicken nuggets shaped like manatees,” she says, “and almost every news story referenced in my mysteries is something that’s actually happened.” Lush, known for The Coffee Lover’s Mystery series, delves into the paranormal with Eat, Pray, Hex. Readers will meet Amelia Matthews, a woman in mid-life who’s inherited a haunted hotel in a small Florida town, and soon learns that she harbors psychic powers which she must harness to solve the hotel’s mystery and save herself.
A trip to a spooky hotel in California inspired Lush to write a cozy mystery in a similar setting with a Florida twist. “Everyone says that Agatha Christie is the first cozy mystery author. I think that cozy mystery is more of a modern term that describes mysteries that aren’t police procedurals, noir or hard-boiled crime,” Lush says, explaining that TV shows and films like Only Murders in the Building or Knives Out are also examples of the genre. “I like to describe myself as Carl Hiaasen but without the cynicism,” she adds, reflecting on her work. Floridians will enjoy the relatable setting of Eat, Pray, Hex and will fall in love with the colorful cast of characters. As the first book in the Crescent Moon Mystery series, this story will have readers excited to visit Amelia and her small-town haunts as her adventures continue.
Eat, Pray, Hex is available for purchase on amazon.com. Learn more about Tara Lush and her books at taralush.com. For information about Lush and Pittman’s talk at the Off the Page Literary Celebration, visit https://www.scgov.net/government/libraries/off-the-page.
Tara Lush, the author of Eat, Pray, Hex will speak with Craig Pittman in Sarasota as part of the Off the Page Literary Celebration. Photo Courtesy of Sarasota County Library.
Single-game tickets for the Atlanta Braves’ 5th Spring Training season at CoolToday Park in North Port, Florida, will go on sale on Saturday, November 18 at 11 a.m. ET. Grapefruit League play for the Atlanta Braves is set to begin on Saturday, February 25 and will conclude on Tuesday, March 26. The Braves will host 16 games at home in North Port, including matchups versus the Boston Red Sox (Feb. 25, March 17), Baltimore Orioles (Feb. 26, March 1, 9), Minnesota Twins (Feb. 29, March 11, 25), Philadelphia Phillies (March 3), Detroit Tigers (March 5), Pittsburgh Pirates (March 8, 16), Tampa Bay Rays (March 14, 23), Toronto Blue Jays (March 20), and New York Yankees (March 21). The sale of 2024 Spring Training Single Game tickets will kick off the Third Annual Grilled Cheese Festival at CoolToday Park. This free, family-friendly event will take place on Saturday, November 18, from 11am-6pm. The Grilled Cheese Festival will feature food trucks, a beer garden, live music, children’s activities, and more. Each food truck will offer grilled cheese themed items along with their regular menu. Craft and domestic beers will be available for purchase, along with a custom beer stein. The Front Plaza will feature a stage with live music, kids’ activities, lawn games, and more. Season and group tickets, as well as hospitality spaces are on sale now. To purchase season tickets, group tickets, or to book a group or hospitality event, please contact the CoolToday Park Box Office at 941-413-5004. Tickets can be purchased at the CoolToday Park Box Office or by visiting www.cooltodaypark.com/tickets. For more information on the Grilled Cheese Festival, Single Game Tickets, or CoolToday Park, visit cooltodaypark.com.
The holiday season will officially kick off at University Town Center (UTC) on Saturday, November 11 with Santa’s Grand Arrival Parade, the first light show of the season, a dazzling fireworks display and so much more. The popular holiday tradition is held on N. Cattlemen Rd. in the heart of The UTC District, and is free and open to the public. The merry celebration will start with a thrilling high-wire act by renowned aerialist Nik Wallenda as he crosses Cattlemen to light UTC’s 50-foot Christmas tree. Following the spectacular tree lighting and first light show of the season, the holiday parade will get underway hosted by 92.1 CTQ co-hosts Maverick and Lulu. Nearly 50 decorated floats, vehicles, dance troops and walking units will make their way along the parade route, wrapping up with Santa Claus arriving on his sleigh and a festive fireworks show. Prior to the parade, there will be a special Veterans Day tribute starting at 6 p.m. Highlights include the Sarasota Military Academy Color Guard and a performance of the national anthem by Shantel Norman. The evening’s exciting grand finale will be an after-party performance by popular American rock band and Bradenton’s own We The Kings. The group will perform an approximately 90-minute show from the stage on Cattlemen as guests are invited to dance on the street. A portion of the road will be closed to thru traffic beginning at 4 p.m. Starting at 5 p.m., live DJs will entertain the crowd, plus visits from favorite holiday characters. Families and friends can also enjoy Suncoast’s Largest Food Truck Festival in the Mall at UTC main entrance lot, as well as pop-up food stations and concessions in the West District at UTC. The parade marks Santa’s official arrival to UTC and the opening of Santa’s Flight Academy, a one-of-a-kind, immersive experience inside The Mall at UTC in partnership with Cherry Hill Programs. Kids of all ages will be able to meet Santa before stepping inside his 22-foot-tall sleigh, experiencing a magical snowfall and, new this year, seeing themselves drive the sleigh as presents are delivered around the world. Photos with the jolly man in red are available all season through December 24. Other “Holidays at UTC” festivities include nightly light shows choreographed to music, dazzling décor at every turn and festive fun, including ice skating on real ice; outdoor holiday movies every Friday and Saturday starting at 7 p.m.; fireworks every Saturday at 9 p.m.; horse-drawn carriage rides; and regular live entertainment on The Green at UTC by Sarasota’s top cultural organizations and local school bands, dance groups and choirs. For more details and the full schedule of events, visit utcsarasota.com.
Lakewood Ranch’s annual Mindful Triathlon will take place from 8-11 a.m. Nov. 18 at Waterside Place, 1560 Lakefront Drive. The event, unlike a typical triathlon, will feature a 5K walk/run, followed by yoga and meditation sessions conducted by SHACK Yoga + Fitness. The Mindful Triathlon, in conjunction with Fit2Run, will present an opportunity for participants to practice mindfulness in motion. Individuals can participate solo or with friends and family. Whether you’re a runner or just enjoy being active, the Mindful Triathlon offers an experience that allows you to connect with your mind, body, and community. The Brain Health Initiative (BHI), a nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve brain health outcomes through education, research, and service, is the presenting sponsor. Their commitment to mindfulness and overall well-being makes them an ideal partner for the Mindful Triathlon. The Center of Revitalizing Psychiatry – a mental health facility in Sarasota, FL, that believes in the power of mindfulness and meditation as part of the healing process – is sponsoring the water stop to help participants stay hydrated and energized throughout the event. To register for the event or for more information, visit LWRMindfulTri.comor contact Joanna Bailey at joanna@lwrca.org.
The Sarasota County Croquet Club and the United States Croquet Association, in partnership with Visit Sarasota County, will play host to the prestigious Solomon Trophy, a triennial event pitting the best croquet players from the United States against their counterparts from Great Britain from November 8th – 12th at Wellfield Park. This historic competition will unfold on the newly improved lawns and state-of-the-art facilities of the Sarasota County Croquet Club, marking the first time the Solomon Trophy event has graced Sarasota County. The Sarasota Croquet Club, founded approximately 25 years ago, has undergone significant growth and development over the years. What began with a humble start as a small club, has now evolved into a flourishing community with 250 members and 7 full sized croquet courts. Along the way, there have been two major renovations, a testament to the club's commitment to providing top-notch facilities for its members and guests. Croquet is an international game with a rich history. Americans started playing this sport in the 19th century and eventually developed their own rules, leading to the distinctive variations of 9-wicket croquet and the internationally recognized American 6-wicket croquet. All games are played on manicured lawns, and one of the sport's most coveted honors is the Solomon Trophy. The Solomon Trophy is a team competition of exceptional significance, held every three years and played under association rules, which are the international game rules. It features the six best association players from the United States pitted against the six top players from Great Britain. The selection of Sarasota as the event's host location underscores the club's commitment to maintaining a world-class playing surface, and it is an acknowledgment of the quality of the club's lawns. During the tournament, spectators and enthusiasts will have the opportunity to witness some of the finest croquet talents in the world compete for the Solomon Trophy. The event will kick off with the Presidents Cup, where the British team will face off against their American counterparts playing under American rules. The competition is scheduled to take place from November 8 to 12, 2023, with a grand opening ceremony on November 8 at 5 PM. Additionally, a special clinic for youth players will be held on Sunday, November 5, led by a team of professional croquet players. The Solomon Trophy event begins November 9 under Association rules. The Sarasota County Croquet Club is excited to welcome visitors and croquet enthusiasts to join in the excitement of this event with free admission to the tournament. Parking is available free of charge at the venue. For those unable to attend, the tournament will be streamed live on YouTube at www.youtube.com/@rdilleyuscacroquet5319. For additional information on the event, please visit https://www.croquetamerica.com/content.aspx?page_id=4002&club_id=962311&item_id=1897492.
Woodland Middle School's Art department is excited to announce that Ms. Harper Hambrick has been selected as the winner of the annual Downtown Venice Art Festival’s official poster design contest. Ms. Hambrick's outstanding artwork – "A Walk Down Brohard Beach" – secured the top spot in a highly competitive field of entries and will serve as the official poster for the annual Downtown Venice Art Festival. Ms. Hambrick is the first student within Sarasota County Schools to win this competition. All of Mr. Bruce Jenkins' art students participated in the contest, which was open to the broader community as well. As the grand prize winner, Ms. Hambrick also received a $200 cash prize at an unveiling event held on Thursday, October 26.
Pictured: Ms. Harper Hambrick, winner of the annual Downtown Venice Art Festival's official poster design contest.
A recent collaboration of Recycled Reading Buddies and Goodwill Manasota has helped to significantly increase the number of children who will benefit from the Recycled Reading Buddies program, which provides previously-loved children's books and stuffed animals to children enrolled in Head Start programs and Title I schools. While Jude Creamer founded and leads the effort, with support from friends and peers in the Encore of Sarasota women's philanthropy group, the effort has been bolstered by contributions of "stuffies" and books from Goodwill Manasota.
Sarasota County Schools is pleased to announce that Sarasota Middle School’s Dr. Carmen Larson has been named the Florida School Counselor Association’s (FSCA) 2024 Florida School Counselor of the Year. This is the first time a school counselor from Sarasota County Schools has won the award. The FSCA Professional Recognition Committee reviews applications from school counseling professionals throughout the state to make nominations for the annual School Counselor of the Year (SCOY) award. Nominees must be working as full-time school counselors and have completed three years of service by the application deadline. Created to recognize the life-changing impact that school counselors have on students and school communities, the SCOY award honors school counselors who successfully manage comprehensive school counseling programs; innovatively work to advance the profession; and passionately advocate for the needs of their students, families, and school communities, among other important criteria. The 2024 Florida School Counselor of the Year recognition occurred on Friday, October 27 at the annual FSCA Convention Awards Luncheon. Dr. Carmen Larson will be in the running for the National School Counselor of the Year award from the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) for the 2024-2025 school year.
Sarasota Youth Opera is inviting singers ages 8 to 18 to audition to participate in the Children’s Chorus in its 2024 Winter Opera Festival production of Georges Bizet’s Carmen. This is an exciting opportunity for young singers to have the chance to sing with professional opera singers. Auditions will be held at the Sarasota Opera House located at 61 N. Pineapple Avenue, Sarasota FL. November 14 - 5:30 p.m. to 6:50 p.m. - Candidates will learn a musical excerpt from Carmen. November 16 - 5:30 p.m. to 6:50 p.m. - Maestro DeRenzi will hold auditions. All children’s chorus members will be expected to commit to all performances and required rehearsals. A detailed schedule will be provided to interested candidates. There are 12 performances of Carmen: February 17, 20, 22, 25 (matinee), 28, March 2 (matinee), 5, 8, 13, 17, 19 (matinee), 22, 2024. (Note: All evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m., matinee performances begin at 1:30 p.m.) Sarasota Opera is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive community. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds and abilities to participate in this opportunity. For questions or further information, contact Cameron Maxwell, Sarasota Opera Youth Opera Coordinator at cmaxwell@sarasotaopera.org or 941-328-1329.
Halfacre Construction Company, a Lakewood Ranch-based commercial construction company, recently celebrated the completion of its modernization of the Woodland Middle School campus and new amphitheater with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Located at 2700 Panacea Blvd. in North Port, the $325,000 project consisted of exterior campus improvements, including a new security fence and electric gate, as well as a new amphitheater in the school’s courtyard. The outdoor amphitheater was a design-build by Halfacre Construction Company. The construction team celebrated the finalized project on Friday, Oct. 27 with a commemorative ribbon-cutting ceremony that attracted over 50 attendees. During the event, the crowd heard from Tom Rees, vice president of Halfacre Construction, and Mark Grossenbacher, principal of Woodland Middle School. The middle school’s orchestra and drum line also performed while attendees enjoyed bagels, pastries and coffee donated by Halfacre. The North Port-based middle school is home to over 1,035 students in grades sixth through eighth, with a mission to urge its students to achieve at the highest level each and every day.
Pictured: Students and staff from Woodland Middle School with Tom Rees from Halfacre Construction Company during the commemorative ribbon-cutting.
What started last school year (2022-2023) as a partnership with Student Spaceflight Experiment Program (SSEP) has turned into the experience of a lifetime this school year (2023-2024): a group of Pine View School students will soon see their experiment travel to outer space! SSEP – which aims to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers – is a national program delivered at the local level, with student teams across a community designing and proposing real microgravity experiments to fly in orbit as its core activity. Over 350 students in the Pine View School community participated in the research proposal. Ultimately, the then 7th grade team (now 8th grade team) of Yatharth Kakkad, Felix Ratner, Rugan Suresh, and Rishik Yellu – under the supervision of Teacher Facilitator Marie Rosander – had their project “Ability of microalga Chlorella vulgaris to remove nitrogen and phosphorous from wastewater in microgravity” selected to travel to the International Space Station (ISS) – learn more about their experiment (#8 within Mission 17) here. The students’ experiment will be shipped to the ISS on The Orbiter payload (named for NASA’s Lunar Orbiter Program) on SpaceX CRS-26. The launch is scheduled for tomorrow (Wednesday, November 1) out of Cape Canaveral at 12:03 p.m. EST. Please join us in congratulating Yatharth Kakkad, Felix Ratner, Rugan Suresh, and Rishik Yellu for all of their hard work!
Pictured: Students working in the lab at USF.
On Thursday, November 2, 5:30-7 pm Art Center Sarasota will host Artist Talk with Clifford McDonald. McDonald introduces new ideas and seeks to positively influence the audience’s perspective on Black culture and life in his exhibition, “Soundtrack.” Clifford believes every moment in life is like a scene in a movie. In those moments, we often find a connection to certain songs based on what we’re going through. In movies, soundtracks provide a musical structure that connects the audience to the film and guides viewers through the emotional highs and lows of the film.
The world’s most famous brass quintet, Canadian Brass is bringing their wildly popular holiday concert to Sarasota’s Opera House on Monday, December 4 at 7:30 p.m., performing festive favorites, from Carol of the Bells to A Charlie Brown Christmas, swinging Glenn Miller tunes, and more. Celebrating 50 years of success, Single tickets start at $35 and can be purchased online at SCAsarasota.org, or through the box office at (941) 966-6161. The box office is open Monday through Friday, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Three-concert mini-subscriptions and group discounts for groups of 10 or more are available by calling (941) 966-6161.
Florida Studio Theatre (FST) is excited to bring children and their families the magic of the holiday season with the latest iteration of Deck the Halls. This interactive family-friendly, music-filled show celebrates everything that makes the holidays in Sarasota special. Since Deck the Halls was first produced in 2016, the show has become a holiday tradition for many families on the Suncoast. This year, the festivities return with all-new sketches, all-new songs, and all-new memories ready for the making. Created by Caroline Saldivar and Sarah Durham with additional material by Dellan Short and Jeremy Weinstein, Deck the Halls plays select Saturdays and Sundays with showtimes starting at 10am and 12pm in FST’s Keating Theatre. For more information, visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
Residents in the Bradenton community and surrounding areas will have the opportunity to receive free dental services at Creekwood Dental on Friday, November 17. Drs. Jennifer Pfeiffer, Brian Harrington and team at Creekwood Dental will be improving the oral health of the community as part of Free Dentistry Day, a day dedicated to providing free dental care to the growing number of Americans without dental insurance. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, approximately 108 million Americans are living without dental insurance. During Free Dentistry Day, cleanings, fillings and extractions will be provided to patients on Friday, November 17, between 7 a.m. and 12 p.m. at 5210 Creekwood Boulevard in Bradenton. Patients will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, please call 941-755-1488 or visit www.FreeDentistryDay.org.
The Ringling College Galleries and Exhibitions Department, along with students enrolled in The Role of the Curator class within the The Business of Art and Design Department, are pleased to present Fluid Impressions: The Paintings of Syd Solomon, an immersive collection featuring expressive, storytelling paintings from abstract impressionist, Syd Solomon. The exhibition will be on view from November 6, 2023 through March 25, 2024. An opening reception, plus art walk, will take place on November 10 from 5-8pm. For more information, visit ringlingcollege.gallery.
Artist and gallerist Mara Torres González recently relocated MARA Art Studio + Gallery from the Rosemary District to Palm Avenue—a corridor long known for its prestigious galleries. A grand opening is scheduled for Friday, November 3, 6-8 p.m. during Palm Avenue’s First Friday Gallery Walk. The gallery is now at 76 S. Palm Avenue, Sarasota. For more information, call (941) 914-8110 or visit MaraStudioGallery.com.
Wellen Park is hosting a variety of musical genres and musicians throughout each week. Wellen Wednesdays and Thursday Tunes will feature various local bands every week under the Heritage Tree from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday Night Live will host a live band on the Solis Hall stage overlooking the Great Lawn from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday Sounds will feature music on the first, second and fourth Saturday of the month under the Heritage Tree from 6 to 10 p.m. Sunday Groove will feature music under Heritage Tree from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Visitors are invited to bask in the captivating scenery and waterfront vibe by bringing their own lawn chairs or blankets for maximum comfort. These upcoming musical gatherings offer an open-door policy, requiring no prior RSVP for attendance. Guests can participate in Wellen Park’s Sip and Stroll program by purchasing to-go alcoholic beverages from Downtown Wellen food and beverage merchants. For more information, visit wellenpark.com.
The public is invited to enjoy an elegant night out at the Powel Crosley Estate, where Sarasota-Manatee students will deliver an unforgettable hospitality experience from 6 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 17. The event promises to delight guests with a gourmet spread, including risotto, salmon, steak, dessert and an opportunity to customize their own “potato martini” with sautéed Spanish onions, roasted garlic confit, apple smoked bacon and other savory toppings. A second dinner will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. on Nov. 14 at the same location. The semi-annual dinner series is an opportunity for students in the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management to gain hands-on experience in designing, preparing and executing an all-inclusive dining event. “This will be a dynamic learning experience for all of them,” said Joe Askren, a professor of instruction in the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, who, along with his colleague Angad Dang, will assist the students throughout the night. “We look forward to showcasing our students’ skills at these events.” Visit usf.to/taste to purchase tickets.
Sarasota Opera presents 2023 Summer Classic Movies at the Opera House. The Classic Movies at the Opera House series will feature The Addams Family, on October 27 at 7:30pm. Throughout the summer and into the fall, featured movies will include films ranging from the 1930s to the 1990s. Tickets are $12. Sarasota Opera, 61 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota, sarasotaopera.org.
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe is thrilled to open its 24th theatre season with "Once On This Island," a Tony Award-winning musical set on a Caribbean island and featuring Afro-Caribbean rhythms and instruments and spectacular costumes. The show tells the coming-of-age story of a peasant girl searching for love and her place in the world, while dealing with complicated social issues of race, class and affairs of the heart. The production runs from October 11 through November 19; individual tickets are on sale. For more information, visit westcoastblacktheatre.com.
Realize Bradenton is happy to announce the return of the Bradenton Market to its weekly schedule. This beloved community gathering will be held Saturdays through May 25, 2024 from 9:00 am - 2:00 pm on Old Main Street in Bradenton. Founded in 1979, the Market has expanded to include more than 90 local vendors. In addition to the weekly shopping and music, the Market hosts special event days throughout the season. Halloween at the Market will be held on Saturday, October 28. This family-friendly event includes trick or treating with vendors, face painting with Manatee School for the Arts Academic Team from 9:30 am - 12:30 pm, and a dance performance by Slick Motion Studios at 10:00 am. For more information, visit RealizeBradenton.com.
Join Sarasota Art Museum for Jazz Thursdays featuring live jazz music, contemporary art, and sips and bites from Bistro. Hosted by the Jazz Club of Sarasota. Jazz Thursday happens on the second Thursday of each month, 5:30-8 p.m. Galleries, Bistro, and SHOP open. FREE for Members, $20 for Not-Yet Members.
The Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance is excited to announce they will be the new home for the 34th Annual Hob Nob BBQ event on December 6th, previously put on by Bradenton Area Economic Development Corporation. This event has been the premier networking event in the region for decades, which brings together the business community from the Sarasota, Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch Region to enjoy an evening of food, drinks and fun. The event will be held at the Premiere Sports Campus from 5:30pm to 8:30pm.For more information, visit members.lwrba.org.
Join Wellen Park on Nov. 11 from 2 to 10 p.m. for its first celebration of visual and performing arts. Downtown Wellen will come alive with the sounds and visions of local artists. Experience visual arts exhibitions, mesmerizing public art, an artist marketplace, immersive family experiences, unforgettable live musical performances, and so much more. For more information on Artscape Wellen Park, visit wellenpark.com/events/artscapewellenpark.
The Hermitage Artist Retreat announces that world-renowned and Grammy Award-winning string quartet ETHEL will headline the Hermitage’s signature fall fundraising event, “The Artful Lobster: An Outdoor Celebration!” on Saturday, November 11th from 11:30am to 2pm at the Hermitage campus on Manasota Key. This is the first time in many years that all four members of ETHEL – Ralph Farris, Kip Jones, Dorothy Lawson, and Corin Lee – will be reuniting at the Hermitage to celebrate this milestone anniversary of the event. This year’s Artful Lobster will also feature a performance by new Hermitage Fellow Emi Ferguson, a celebrated flutist and performer. For more information about the Hermitage and upcoming programs, visit HermitagArtistRetreat.org.
The Orchid Show 2023: A 50th Anniversary Celebration will be on view October 7 through November 26 at the Downtown Sarasota campus. Since its establishment in 1973, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens has formed the best scientifically documented collection of living orchids in the world. The Orchid Show 2023, presented by Better-Gro, will celebrate Selby Gardens 50th anniversary and highlight spectacular orchids from the living plant collection for which it is known across the globe. The Orchid Show 2023 will include a horticultural display in the Tropical Conservatory and an exhibition in the Museum of Botany & the Arts. Orchids of various shapes, colors, and patterns will abound in the Conservatory, illustrating the beauty and diversity of one of the largest and most beloved families of flowering plants. The Museum exhibition will present a selection of rare artifacts and historical images to help tell the rich story of Selby Gardens’ first 50 years, with emphasis on the plants and people who have made it such a special place. For more information, visit selby.org.
Calling all Jeep Enthusiasts! The Sarasota Hooters location is hosting Jeep Night on the third Thursday of the month starting at 6pm. Hooters is giving away raffle prizes during the monthly events. The September 21 raffle prize is a Flashcal For Jeep Superchips Calibration Tool. Congratulations to Shawn Miller who won a Jeep Tow Kit during the August 17 Jeep Night. Upcoming Jeep Nights will take place on December 21. Hooters of Sarasota is located at 6507 S. Tamiami Trail in Sarasota. Visit Hooters during Jeep Night and present your Jeep key for 15% off food and non-alcoholic beverages and an entry for the giveaway. Jeep Night has become a favorite thing to do for the Sarasota community. From regular customers to Hooters Girls who own Jeeps and Jeep lovers everyone is enjoying this opportunity. For more information, visit www.HootersFlorida.com.
Hometown hero and international superstar Nik Wallenda is collaborating with the Circus Arts Conservatory (CAC) to bring an extraordinary holiday spectacle, A Brave New Wonderland, to the CAC’s Holiday-Themed Big Top in the East District at UTC. The show, with 45 performances through December 31, promises a blend of thrilling circus acts, mesmerizing aerial performances, and uplifting holiday storytelling, curated and produced under the creative eye of the King of the High Wire, Wallenda himself, along with his world record-holding wife, Erendira Wallenda. Through breathtaking performances by artists from diverse backgrounds, captivating narratives, and the shared spirit of Wallenda’s personal tagline, Never Give Up! Brave New Wonderland seeks to plant a seed of unity in the hearts of its audience. It's a show where the magic of the season is not just about traditions and celebrations but also about embracing our differences and finding strength in diversity. For more information, visit circusarts.org.
The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall is excited to welcome Rumours of Fleetwood Mac to Sarasota on Saturday, November 25, 2023 at 8pm. Tickets are on sale now. Rumours of Fleetwood Mac, the world’s finest tribute to Fleetwood Mac, returns to the stage in 2023 celebrating the very best of Fleetwood Mac. Channeling the spirit of Fleetwood Mac at their very best, Rumours of Fleetwood Mac offers a unique opportunity for fans, both old and new, to rediscover the songs and performances that have ensured Fleetwood Mac’s place as one of the most loved groups of all time. Personally endorsed by Fleetwood Mac founding member Mick Fleetwood, Rumours of Fleetwood Mac is the ultimate tribute to one of rock and roll’s most remarkable groups. Tickets start at $35 and can be purchased at www.VanWezel.org, by calling the box office at 941-263-6799 or by visiting the box office Monday through Friday between 10am and 6pm and Saturday from 10am to 4pm. Groups of 10 or more should contact 941-263-6726.
The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall is excited to bring Johnny Cash: The Official Concert Experience to Sarasota on Sunday, November 26, 2023 at 7 p.m. Tickets are on sale now. The music never stops in Johnny Cash – The Official Concert Experience. Produced in collaboration with the Estate of Johnny Cash, this multi-media celebration is like nothing you’ve seen before. Using state-of-the-art technology, Johnny Cash’s rich, iconic baritone has been lifted from archival concert footage and recordings, enabling the “Man in Black'' to perform his biggest hits – “I Walk the Line,” “Ring of Fire” – with a live band again! In addition to never-before-seen footage and on-screen narration by Cash’s only son, John Carter Cash, male and female vocalists will split singing duties to perform even more Cash hits, as well as tunes by artists of the time including The Statler Brothers, Carl Perkins and June Carter Cash. Tickets start at $35 and can be purchased at www.VanWezel.org, by calling the box office at 941-263-6799 or by visiting the box office Monday through Friday between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Groups of 10 or more should contact 941-263-6726.
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens will present Yayoi Kusama: A Letter to Georgia O Keeffe as the eighth iteration of its annual Jean and Alfred Goldstein Exhibition, which examines the work of major artists through the lens of their connection to nature. The exhibition, which will be on view from February 11 through June 30, 2024, at Selby Gardens Downtown Sarasota campus, will explore the unexpected yet profoundly impactful mentoring relationship that developed between iconic artists Yayoi Kusama and Georgia O Keeffe. The theme of the upcoming Goldstein Exhibition is the latest announcement of programming planned for Selby Gardens 50th anniversary season. For more information, visit selby.org.
Body & Mind Wellness Center, the premier destination for revitalizing IV hydration services in the heart of Sarasota, Florida, will host their Grand Opening celebration on Thursday, November 2, 2023 from 5-7pm at their location at 1515 Second Street, Sarasota. Co-owners Dumitru Asanache and Liliane Demosthenes are excited to bring a new level of wellness and vitality to the community through IV hydration treatments. To confirm your attendance and for any further inquiries, RSVP starting Thursday, October 27th to Body & Mind Wellness center at bmwellnesscenter@gmail.com or by phone at 813-924-8950.
Please join us for the annual Resilient Retreat Farm to Table dining experience on Sunday, November 5, 2023 at 4:00 pm. The funds raised at the event are critical to Resilient Retreat to continue to serve survivors of trauma and first responders and helping professionals. Come immerse yourself among the majestic oaks at 84 acres of conservation land on the retreat. In true farm to table fashion, our local chefs will craft a tasting menu featuring the very best local seasonal foods. Dine under the stars nestled among the beautiful live oaks while experiencing al fresco farm to table dining. Farm to Table proceeds will benefit the Resilient Retreat mission to empower survivors of trauma to thrive through self care and community. Visit https://givebutter.com/farmtotable2023 for more information and to purchase tickets.
This monthly gathering of car enthusiasts brings together automobile lovers from every walk of life, not to mention a wide array of spectacular cars. Bring your own vehicle (all makes and models are welcome) to show off, or check out the hundreds of cars on display. Each month, the event sponsors a different charity, and attendees are encouraged to donate $10 to benefit the charity. The event, occuring on the second Sunday of each month, will feature live music, complimentary coffee and more. To learn more, visit facebook.com/carsandcoffee941. Sarasota Cars and Coffee, The West District at University Town Center near Ford’s Garage, 295 N. Cattlemen Rd., Sarasota.
Visit Fresh Harvest, the newly launched weekly farmers market in Downtown Wellen. Fresh Harvest offers a selection of local goods from nearly 40 local vendors. Fresh Harvest takes place every Sunday in Downtown Wellen from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Attendees can peruse different vendor booths and stock up on a variety of goods. Vendors will offer a wide variety of locally grown and produced food, including herbs, spices, cut flowers, teas, canned and preserved fruits and vegetables, syrups, baked goods, pickled foods, fresh seafood, meats, poultry, eggs, milk and prepared food and beverages. A limited selection of craft vendors also participate in the farmers market. For a listing of participating vendors and more information on Fresh Harvest Farmers Market, visit wellenpark.com/events/fresh-harvest-farmers-market. Downtown Wellen, 19745 Wellen Park Blvd., Venice.
Head out to Waterside Place for a rocking evening as part of the Lakewood Ranch Sights and Sounds Program. Enjoy a live concert in partnership with Easterseals and EveryoneRocks, featuring artists who are rocking their spectrum. This event is free and open to the public; there is limited seating at the Plaza, but attendees are welcome to bring their own seats. Food and beverages will be available from numerous Waterside Place merchants. For more information on shows, dates, and times, visit lakewoodranch.com/sights-sounds/. Waterside Place, 1560 Lakefront Dr., Sarasota.
Siesta Key Rum runs free year-round tours for guests to learn the story of the craft distillery, the awards they have won and the secret to how they make their rums taste so good. During our 30-45 minute tour we will discuss the following topics: history of Siesta Key Rum, an overview of the awards our small company has won, what makes our rums taste so good, the rum-making process from mashing and fermentation to distillation, barrel aging and bottling of our rums. After the tour, we welcome you to sample a freshly made Siesta Key Rum cocktail, stock up on your favorite rums and browse our gift shop. 2212 Industrial Blvd., Sarasota.
Wellen Park and The Rotary Club are partnering again this year from October 3 through November 17 for Thanks4Giving, a service project to help make Thanksgiving memorable for members of the community. The Thanks4Giving tree will be set up in the Wellen Park Welcome Center between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., filled with tags for you to choose from. Purchase a Publix or Walmart gift card and return it to the Wellen Park Welcome Center, where a member of the ambassador team will be prepared to receive it. On Nov. 18, the Rotary Club will collect the cards and use them to purchase full Thanksgiving dinners from Publix and Walmart. These dinners include frozen turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy and all the trimmings for a traditional Thanksgiving feast. For more information, visit wellenpark.com.
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